Skill Development within Project Work

Learn to self-manage by setting and adhering to schedules, setting targets, and completing tasks independently.
Gain communication skills by sharing ideas, effectively recording data, and presenting results.
Enhance problem-solving skills by addressing and rectifying procedural problems, statistical issues, and experimental failures.
Improve teamwork skills through collaborating on project design, execution, and reporting.
Develop technical skills such as lab techniques, equipment use, and data analysis software.
Foster ethical understanding by following guidelines for ethical conduct during the project.
Understand the need for and how to utilise risk assessments to ensure safety during practical work.
Develop analytical skills in order to interpret and draw conclusions from the collected data.
Learn to be critical and reflective while discussing project findings and their implications.

Planning and Implementing an Investigative Project

Recognise and create an aim which clearly states what you are looking to discover or prove.
Formulate a hypothesis or prediction based on relevant scientific theories.
Design experimental methods to test this hypothesis, including control measures.
Produce a comprehensive plan of action to manage workload and meet deadlines.
Consider feasibility by checking if you have the resources and timeframe to complete the project.

Use appropriate methods to display data such as tables, graphs, or statistical visualisations.
Interpret results by analysing data trends and comparing data to predicted outcomes from a hypothesis.
Apply statistical analysis to validate results and establish significance.

Include all relevant sections: title, abstract, introduction, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion, and references.
State the aim, hypothesis, and context of the investigation in the introduction.
Clearly describe the methods used to collect the data in the methodology section.
Present the findings straightforwardly, in a logical and structured manner.
Conduct a discussion of the results in the context of existing theory and literature, acknowledging any limitations.
Draft a conclusion summarising what was learned, the significance of the findings and any recommendations for future research.
Acknowledge all sources within the references.

Critically examine the scientific merits and shortcomings of the investigative methods used.
Compare the resultant data to the initial hypothesis - justify any discrepancies.
Identify any confounding variables or bias that may affect the reliability of the results.
Suggest improvements or further studies to address these issues and advance the research.
Reflect on the learning attained throughout the course of the project.